A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Orkney Islands vs. Cairngorms National Park for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a remote, beautiful, and serene national park. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and hiking.

Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Orkney Islands. Although Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park are popular destinations, Orkney Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cairngorms National Park is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its impressive hikes, scenic natural beauty, and nice mountains. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. It is also well known for The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

How is Orkney Islands different from Cairngorms National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairngorms National Park and Orkney Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

Orkney Islands is very good for its museums and history. However, Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cairngorms National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

Cairngorms National Park offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in the area that offer hearty dishes to fill a hungry hiker.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for the beach. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a beach destination.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Cairngorms National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Hiking?

You'll find very good hiking in both Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Cairngorms National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are hikes for every skill level. You'll find waterfalls, open glens, mountains, and beautiful lakes. Some of the best hikes include the Falls of Bruar, Morrone, and the Seven Bridges Trail.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Families?

Cairngorms National Park is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cairngorms National Park. The outdoor wilderness, natural lakes, and fun activities make for a great family holiday. Head to the beach at Loch Morlich or go for a pony trek. You can also take a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway or if the kids are craving a bit more excitement head to Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Couples?

Both Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Cairngorms National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. The hiking, natural beauty, and stunning setting make for a wonderful couples getaway. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the serene setting and it's not uncommon for some couples to get engaged in this beautiful park.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cairngorms National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cairngorms National Park. Transportation without a car is basically impossible, but camping is a great way to experience the park to its fullest without breaking the bank.

Is Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Cairngorms National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Orkney Islands has some public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Public transit is generally limited in Cairngorms National Park. To fully explore the park, you really need to have your own vehicle, but there are local buses and trains that travel to the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Cairngorms National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairngorms National Park or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

In either Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than Cairngorms National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairngorms National Park.

Families should spend more time in Cairngorms National Park than Orkney Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cairngorms National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Cairngorms National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Orkney Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Cairngorms National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

With museums and food around the pristine archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Cairngorms National Park, you'll find food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

With food and museums around the pristine destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cairngorms National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

With museums and food around the pristine archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairngorms National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the national park of Cairngorms National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Orkney Islands is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Cairngorms National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Cairngorms National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Cairngorms National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 147 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Cairngorms National Park. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 84 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the winter for the cuisine.

Cairngorms National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands is generally a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Orkney Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Cairngorms National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Cairngorms National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 136 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in April than Cairngorms National Park. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Orkney Islands